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I am having a VERY difficult time with Klonipin withdrawal

Posted by lisalynn @lisalynn, Jun 29, 2023

I have been on Klonipin for a BIG Panic disorder for over 15 years. I recently had to wean down off of 3 to none fast. The withdrawal was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I have my normal prescription now. However, at a lower level. But, I am still having a withdrawal symptom that is plaguing me. I am still taking it, but half of what I had been. I hear my Heart thumping in my ears, very loud and fast, 120 beats per minute. Did anyone else have that symptom? Or describe their withdrawal? Oh, and I NEVER want to speak to that new and cold Psychiatrist I have.
Struggling. Thanks.

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david707 | @david707 | Apr 30 6:17pm
In reply to @gunshy "I need to get off .5mg of clonazpam after five months. I have had a paradoxical..." + (show)
Profile picture for gunshy @gunshy

I need to get off .5mg of clonazpam after five months. I have had a paradoxical response to it. My doc suggested swiitching from tab to liquid. I think even doing .25 liquid and .25 tab might put me over the edge. I can't split a .5 pill into quarters equally so I can't go slower that way, i.e. 3/4 tab, 1/4 liquid. Have you had or know about this process? If, so could you share it.
The other option is the Ashton method with the gradual switch to diaz. Do you know how that has worked for people. It takes a really long time and i am not sure how I would react to the switch in meds even though it would be very slow.
There is the ORO house in CA, but I live on the east coast.
I am very much afraid of the liquid plan, even though I have the bottle for it. I have suffered so much that I cannot take much more any longer.
Please help me. Thank you!!!

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@gunshy I used the diazepam switch to get off Xanax. I don't recall any difficulty doing it....and I did slowly. You can do this. I took Clonazapam for months after a severe psychic shock that left me unable to sleep. I made it through.

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gunshy | @gunshy | Apr 30 6:55pm

Thank you so much for writing,]. It is so encouraging to hear your story. How did you get off clonazpam?
I am contemplating a cross taper to liquid from tablet so I can go down in slow, slow increments. I hope this works without difficult withdrawal sysmptoms as I have had a paradoxical response to clon.

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gunshy | @gunshy | May 1 3:42am
In reply to @david707 "@gunshy I used the diazepam switch to get off Xanax. I don't recall any difficulty doing..." + (show)
Profile picture for david707 @david707

@gunshy I used the diazepam switch to get off Xanax. I don't recall any difficulty doing it....and I did slowly. You can do this. I took Clonazapam for months after a severe psychic shock that left me unable to sleep. I made it through.

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@david707
OMG. I just woke up for the second time shaking like a leaf and shivering. I must be in innerdose withdrawal. This is awful. My hands are shaking and I can barely type. I have the chills. What is it going to be like when I taper? What can I do now to help myself get through this - I do lavender, ice, breathing, reading, praying, grounding, calling on the phone. I will not take more than perscibed. Has anyone else gone through this hell an how did you manage it?

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gunshy | @gunshy | May 1 7:33am
In reply to @lisalucier "@gunshy - Hi - I believe your message to me did not all come through in..." + (show)
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@gunshy - Hi - I believe your message to me did not all come through in your post. Would you like to repost it?

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@Ilisalucier
Is it possible that you can respond to my email with more than a hug. I am desperate for info on this process?

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 1 8:21am
In reply to @gunshy "@Ilisalucier Is it possible that you can respond to my email with more than a hug...." + (show)
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@Ilisalucier
Is it possible that you can respond to my email with more than a hug. I am desperate for info on this process?

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Hi @gunshy - I'm really sorry you are feeling desperate for information on this process at this point. I am not a medical professional, nor are the other mentors and moderators on Mayo Clinic Connect. As such, we offer support and connection with fellow patients, but not medical advice.

Wondering if your prescribing doctor or the pharmacist who filled your prescription may have tapering instructions you can use?

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cec16 | @cec16 | May 2 6:39pm

I finally got off of Klonopin when I have a new psychiatrist that prescribe me sublingual tablets that take you down and very small, accurate doses. I like that my psychiatrist didn't push me to lower the doses before asking me how I was doing on my current dose which made this process less stressful for me. I take antidepressants, different types of antidepressants that are good for anxiety.

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